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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-18-96 WS . . . MINUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION WORK SESSION HELD JANUARY 18, 1996 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Vandergrift called the Work Session to order at 7:10 p.m. in the Commission Chambers and asked City Manager Shapiro if he wished to speak. To this Mr. Shapiro replied no. The roll was called and a quorum was determined to be present. PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Anderson, Glass, Gleason, and Johnson. Also present were City Manager Shapiro, Personnel Director Psaledakis, Recreation Director Beech, Planning Director Wagner, and City Clerk Grafton. ABSENT: None. Former Commissioner Combs, 310 Sabinal Street, addressed Commission regarding issues that occurred, and his method of handling them, during his term of office DISCUSSION/ACTION RE: CITY MANAGER'S EVALUATION Vicky Prettyman, 1405 Lukay Street, said there was too much anger displayed by the Commissioners in going through this process and was not sure they were thinking clearly. She stated that, as a taxpayer, she felt all this should stop. Mr. Harold Switzer, 609 East Lakeshore Drive, said he was not intending to be critical of Commission, but a manager's goal is to manage, and intimidation is sometimes part of the job. He said that Commission should praise in public and criticize in private. Commissioner Gleason stated that while he was campaigning for office, Mr. Shapiro's performance was the dominating issue mentioned by the public. He said that the issue now is job performance and accountability. He noted that he had visited City Hall many times and found him gone home already. He questioned Mr. Shapiro's commitment to the job and gave many examples of discrepancies in the records he kept for expenses and attendance. He said that, as Mr. Shapiro has already asked permission to look for another job, that it would be appropriate to search for a replacement at this time. Mr. Shapiro said he took exception to Commissioner Gleason's questioning his commitment to the job and said the record of his attendance does not reflect all the meetings he has while not in his office or is cruising the City as the Public Works Director. Also felt there was a political split between Commissioners and that it was impossible to please them all, but that he tried to do the will of the majority. Mayor Vandergrift asked how other City Managers would handle the same situation and then questioned Mr. Shapiro about the methods used to provide information to Commission. Mr. Shapiro gave examples and said he tried to give each what he asks . City of Ocoee Work Session January 18, 1996 for, either verbally or in written form, and that all memos are copied to all members of the Commission, as everybody has a right to all the information.. RECESS - 8:20 p.m. - 8:35 p.m. Commissioner Glass said he liked Mr. Shapiro personally; that he didn't always agree with the things he did, but he respected his leadership. He said he didn't believe there was enough evidence to warrant firing Mr. Shapiro and that at the moment he was still undecided. He listed some of the issues that had been mentioned as grounds to terminate Mr. Shapiro, but he was not sure that there were clear directives on all issues: (1) not logging in and out at City Hall, (2) taking vacation in bits and pieces, (3) use of the American Express Card, and (4) employee morale. He said that clear direction had been given on at least the last item and it had been accepted with a cavalier attitude. He was fully aware of the opinions of some citizens and developers that he was an "expletive SOB," but he knew that if it were not for Mr. Shapiro he would not be living in Ocoee. Commissioner Anderson said he was undecided as he had not been Commissioner long and needed to hear more information. He asked City Attorney Rosenthal if the City would have legal standing if the contract were terminated . City Attorney Rosenthal said that if the City should have to go to court over this matter, the City should hire private counsel because he has worked to closely with Mr. Shapiro and there would be a conflict of interest. He explained that if Commission feels they have cause they can terminate the contract. They can also terminate without cause and pay the balance of the contract. The procedure in the Charter provides that they must have a preliminary statement. RECESS - 9: 10 p.m. - 9:25 p.m. Mr. Daniel Petro, 175 Crown Point Circle, explained that sometimes letting someone go quickly often results in loss of efficiency. He said Commission should stop and think that if Mr. Shapiro decides to fight this, much time and money could be spent in court foolishly because by then his contract will have run out anyway. Commissioner Johnson gave a history of where the City was before and how it has progressed since Mr. Shapiro became City Manager, and said he was in favor of keeping him. Mayor Vandergrift gave a history of his relationship with Mr. Shapiro, said he didn't like his management style because he didn't communicate well, and said that when speaking with Ocoee citizens, many said they didn't like the way he managed and were not in favor of renewing his contract. . Commissioner Johnson recalled the period of time (over a year) when Mr. Shapiro was sick with sleep apnea that he would sleep through a conversation and wake up with the 2 . . . City of Ocoee Work Session January 18, 1996 answer to a question raised during the conversation. He then spoke at length in favor of keeping Mr. Shapiro. Mayor Vandergrift discussed his relationship with Mr. Shapiro and the reasons he felt the contract should be terminated, giving a history of a lack of communication and a lack of responsiveness to his suggestions and/or directives from his first day in office. There was further discussion on the advisability of taking action immediately or waiting until a later date. Mr. Shapiro said that, with 90 days to deal with employee morale and 30 days to communicate with the Mayor, he was beginning to feel no support, that he needed to be told he was fired or to get out and do his job ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 11 :00 p.m. Attest: APPROVED: S~~~ S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor 3